Neighbors say compost bins attract bugs, animals

Some Morris Park neighbors say the city Department of Sanitation's organics program encouraging residents to compost is attracting unwanted critters.

Johnny Sepulveda is among the many in Morris Park who received the free, brown compost bins, but he says it's turned out to be a nightmare.

"Gnats were forming, there's a whole bunch of creatures around my garbage can," he says.

Sepulveda followed the composting instructions, but says the smell from it has been unbearable.

Other neighborhood residents say the bins have also been attracting animals.

The DSNY says residents can use any type of plastic bag to place waste into a compost bin. Some residents say the DSNY has not been coming every week to pick up the waste, but the department denies that.

Sanitation officials say the program is not mandatory for now. Items that are and are not accepted on the department's website. Accepted items include fruits and vegetables, coffee grounds, filters and tea bags, dried fruit, house plants and potting soil. Don'ts include meat or fish scraps, cheese or dairy products, fats, grease or oily foods and cat feces.

A DSNY spokesperson say pickup for the compost is every Wednesday, the same day as recycling.

A New York City man has turned his green thumb toward revamping a community garden at the Marble Hill Houses.

A New York City man has turned his green thumb toward revamping a community garden at the Marble Hill Houses. Juanli Carrion and the community organization Outer Seed Shadow raised $11,000 and mobilized residents of the area to help out. The 11 planned plant bends will represent the 11 buildings in the housing complex, even mimicking the layout. Construction begins next week and is expected to end by May 6.

A New York City man has turned his green thumb toward revamping a community garden at the Marble Hill Houses. Juanli Carrion and the community organization Outer Seed Shadow raised $11,000 and mobilized residents of the area to help out. The 11 planned plant bends will represent the 11 buildings in the housing complex, even mimicking the layout. Construction begins next week and is expected to end by May 6.